How to Plant Seedless Grapes

Seedless grapes do have seeds. But the plant has aborted them, making them tiny flecks the eater does not notice and the plant cannot use to reproduce a grape. The aborting mechanism comes from a mutation that biologists estimate occurred 2,000 years ago in current-day Afghanistan. Someone back then propagated a clone of the plant from a cutting. In the early 1800s, William Thompson produced a hybrid in California that became the standard. Scientists at the USDA have removed embryonic seeds from immature grapes to produce the wide variety of hybrids now available. Today, we grow seedless grapes from roots and vines.

Seedless grape vine root
Shovel
Trellis
Gardener's twine

Instructions

- 1
  Locate a place to plant the vine. It should have well-drained, sandy loam soil. Have the soil tested for its pH, its relative acidity. The ideal soil pH ranges from 5.5 to 6.5. The location should get good sun and protection from prevailing winds. Grape vines prefer a south-facing slope.
- 2
  Buy a grape vine root. The seasonal garden centers at retail chains will likely not stock this item. Some independent garden supply stores do. Several sources are available online. Planting occurs in early spring, so time the purchase. You will get a live root system and vine in a dormant state. If you need to adjust the pH, buy lime to reduce acidity, urea to increase it.
- 3
  Dig a hole. Dig deeper and wider than the size of the root. Keep the root moist while digging. If you intend more than one plant, dig the holes 8 feet apart.
- 4
  Amend the soil. Adjust the pH as needed. If you have compost, add it at this step.
- 5
  Plant the root. Leave room for the bottom-most part of the root to grow vertically, do not bend it. Bury the plant to the first node, the first bump in the vine. Water it.
- 6
  Install the trellis. The vine will need support as it grows up and out. Place support next to the vine. Attach it to the trellis with gardener's twine. Tie the twine only as many times as needed to keep the vine from drooping.

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